I have been researching this for a couple weeks. The possibilities seem endless and confusing. I am hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.

I'm looking to build an ebike for around $1000. My commute to work is only around 1 mile, but the ride home is very much UP hill. If you were in my position with $1000 which parts would you buy? I really appreciate any and all help here. Thank you so much for your assistance, I'm looking forward to getting this done soon!

Bikes: This list got too long: several ‘bents, an urban utility e-bike, and a dahon D7 that my daughter has absconded with.

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In all seriousness, I would advise that you send that letter to ebikes.ca. What you ant is well within the realm of what can be done except for one thing, 25mph is not going to happen. Most of the kits are limited to 20mph, as that is the federal law. Further, a low cost kit is going to slow down on the steepest hills. (that price range may still have you using SLA batteries, I am not clear of you intend that 1k to include the bike).

[I have no relation to ebikes.ca; however, they enjoy a very good reputation in the e-bike community]

I had to upgrade my old Trek 820 to a 2012 Kona Lanai to get disc brakes and other structural improvements. The Papamotors kit seems to work better with older bikes which have separate shifters and brakes. Take a look at their online manual and pay close attention to the model of bike they preform the conversion on. As Robert C. mentioned earlier, ebike.ca will help you tremendously as they have helped me. You may be better off purchasing the components through them and getting the battery you need through Ping (http://www.pingbattery.com). I don't think you'll be able to stay within the $1,000 limit but you'll be close. I've already exceeded my limit.

So what did you decide? i'm in the same boat except with a longer commute 28miles round trip. I'm trying to cut my commute time down from 1:10min in the evening since its uphill all the way. Doing research but there are a bizillion options here. so difficult for a starter!

Why can't someone come up with a starter thread where we have 3-5 true tested options ranging from the corolla to the cadillac of options.

I just "inherited" an abandoned Trek zx 6500 frame that had the rear wheel stolen and was thinking of converting it. This is my first time with anything mechanical and between restoring the abandoned frame to picking the electric components, i'm going mental.

So one thing I can count on then 1) it's not going to be less then 1K to do and 2) i'm not going to get more then 20mph out of the bike? None of these kits allow it due to federal regulation or are we on the honor system of not going over the limti?

I still haven't decided yet. As you said, there are literally a bazillion options. I'm completely lost here. I think I'm going to get the $1000 PAPA motor kit mentioned above and hope for the best. Its so hard spending that money not knowing if maximizing my purchase or not. Most of the forums I have found are not for noobs, they are usually people that have $1000's invested and take this very seriously (sometimes too seriously) and I'm finding it pretty hard to get good help. Everyone seems to have a different opinion, which is fine, but it usually just takes me back to square one lol.

Thanks everyone who has chimed in, I'm most likely gonna wing-it and grab the 48v/1000w papa-motor. The question now is, front wheel or rear wheel?

1000 watt? Rear wheel. You need the strength. You would need a very strong fork for a 1000 watt front motor.
I found that too many of the hub motor kits require that you use old parts or bad parts. Like they are expecting you to put it on a Walmart bike or something. I would check that before buying.

I found a 48 volt 1000w kit on ebay for 275 dollars shipped. I think I'm just going to buy that and 48v15Ah ping battery separately ($624 shipped). Total cost sans bike, 899 dollars.

does the sit well with the experienced members of the forum? I appreciate the honesty and advice as this is my first electric bicycle.

Hang in there, Beesley. I'm working on my Papamotors kit and will let you know how it works out. The components are good for the price I paid and the shipping was a lot less than their three week max plus you get a Ping battery. I would tell you to order the same kit I purchased from them but I haven't finished the installation yet.